Should GM join with Chrysler corp?

[V8Pacer]

Of significant note are the Fiesta and the Euro Focus -- both of which should provide Ford with formidable products in the subcompact range (where they have no offering at all) and the compact range (where the current Focus is okay but could still stand some improvement).

Are they really going to bring these Euro cars over here.I actually do like the Fiesta that i've read about a couple of times.I must say it has somewhat impressed me.I'm not a focus fan and ford offers nothing else in that size.

Dave your a wealth of info that is good to know.

Thanks

[DaveInColumbus]

They really are. http://www.autotrends.org/ford-to-bu...north-america/

I like the Focus and I always have. I have begun lurking on a Ford Focus forum similar to this one because I believe a Focus will be the next car I purchase to replace my Escort. I don't have any timeframe for the purchase as I will drive the 'Scort until it runs no more. But I like to be prepared so that the decision is merely execution instead of planning, when the time comes.

The European Ford Focus is not just a good car; by all accounts it is one of the very best cars in its segment. I know that nobody thinks of "Ford Focus" and "great handling" in the same sentence, but you'd better be prepared to begin. That's what all the press over there says about it.

[PTCarl]

GM best shape, YES. Worst shape, money wise, the unions are bleeding them (hemorrhaging, is the word, I've heard being used). Chrysler is supposedly in worst shape, but has money from their overseas sales, and the unions haven't gotten to them, fully, yet. GM wants the money, not the products. Though there is talk they "should keep" the mini-van line of Chrysler, and possibly the RAM line (maybe also keep the 300's). All else dump, is what I've been hearing.

That's why I thought the reverse would work. Chrysler gain GM and not have the union problem, yet .....

Remember the CEO's flying to Washington DC in their corporate jets to request a bailout from Congress? Wasn't it greedy management that caused the banking and mortgage mess? Did the union members design the unwanted dinosaurs from Detroit that caused the drastic drop in sales?

['01T&CLtd]

I have read that in any "merger", GM would most likely strip Chrysler's more marketable products away and discard the rest. Specifically, they'd keep the mini vans, some of the light trucks, most of the Jeeps, and chuck the entire car line. The Dodge nameplate would go away entirely due to its redundancy. Some of GM's nameplates would also be retired to reduce redundancy, with some models discontinued and others realigned under other nameplates. The Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, GMC, and/or Saab nameplates could be on the endangered list (Buick may be saved by the fact it's the top-selling nameplate in China). I don't know how accurate this "insider" info is, however.

While this all sounds traumatic and I'm sure it's quite nerve-wracking for anyone whose livelihood depends on what happens next in that industry, it's certainly anything but unprecedented. The American auto industry (as well as those in other countries) has undergone waves of mergers, failures, and acquisitions over the years. There have been some fascinating books written about it which I'd highly recommend. It's a very cut-throat, survival-of-the-fittest game, at least as long as the government stays out of it.

It will be interesting to see how it shakes out, because it's almost certain that the Detroit of 2015 will look much different than the Detroit of 2005. It's shaping up to be the most tumultuous period in the U.S. auto industry since the 1950's.

[sideburns2009]

I'd just hate to see all those GM pushrods replace the upcoming Phoenix engines and the current 3.5 and 4.0. No leaky gaskets and Dexcool for me thank you. Has anyone heard anything else about Chrysler and Nissan's talks to merge?

[DaveInColumbus]

I'd just hate to see all those GM pushrods replace the upcoming Phoenix engines and the current 3.5 and 4.0. No leaky gaskets and Dexcool for me thank you. Has anyone heard anything else about Chrysler and Nissan's talks to merge?

Well, maybe GM would want the Phoenix engines since they actually have some hot products into which they could put those engines. (As opposed to Chrysler, who has no hot products into which those engines will go.) However, I highly doubt they want the engines. Contrary to popular belief on this forum, GM doesn't trail Chrysler in the V6 department. Their current set of OHC V6's are very, very good powerplants and soon enough, the OHC motors will replace the OHV motors entirely.

[DaveInColumbus]

Remember the CEO's flying to Washington DC in their corporate jets to request a bailout from Congress? Wasn't it greedy management that caused the banking and mortgage mess? Did the union members design the unwanted dinosaurs from Detroit that caused the drastic drop in sales?

I think PTCarl's point is to object to the assertion that Chrysler could gain GM and not get "the union problem". While he's off base about who caused the financial and mortgage mess, and he may be distracted by the shiny wings on three inconsequential biz jets, he's got a point: the union didn't create poor products or a bloated cost structure.

Besides, "the union problem" -- if there is one -- would be shared by both companies since the UAW has CBA's with both automakers.

There is *no way* Chryslerberus will be acquiring GM. NONE.